Kyoto (Day 1 morning tour)

July 19, 2026: Our 6:45 am tour kicked off with Mokoto — our wonderful 21-year-old guide (Scottish dad, Japanese mom), humble and friendly — plus a young couple from Brazil along for the ride.

First stop: the enchanting Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, one of Japan’s most famous, where we wandered through thousands of striking red torii gates. A moment I wish I had the photography skills to truly capture.

Next was the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove — serene, tranquil, and utterly captivating, mosquito bites notwithstanding.

Our last stop was Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion: iconic, breathtaking, pure elegance. Personally, I think it beats the Silver Pavilion, which I’ll get to see for myself later.